The worldwide shortage of rice has caused panics
and riots in some countries and even forced stores in Anchorage to limit purchases. Now, it is
causing some stores in Kodiak to institute rationing. Mary Donaldson has more.

Rice
shortages around the world are making it difficult for people and businesses to
purchase rice, and for countries to import the grain. Rice export restrictions
by some of the world's biggest suppliers such as Japan
and India,
along with an uncooperative Mother Nature are disrupting rice supplies and causing
increased prices. With rice exports limited, the effects are felt worldwide,
including here on Kodiak Island.

Al Large,
the owner of Cost Savers, says that his business is feeling the effects of the
rice shortage.

(Shortage 1:35s“…a few pallets of rice a week.”)

For now Cost Savers is limiting its
sales of rice to one bag per customer regardless of size.But Large isn’t worried about purchasing rice in the future.

(Shortage 2:10s“…more and more rice.”)

Asian Groceries and Gifts on Mill Bay Road does
not limit customers on the amount of rice they can buy. The store receives
about 25, 50-pound bags per week, and as long as they have some in stock, a
spokesperson there said they will sell it.

Anna Bravo, owner of El Chicanos
Restaurant says she has been forced to make changes on her menu because of the
shortage.

(Shortage 3:27s“…maybe a couple of weeks.”)

The Times of London reports that experts think
the panic and hoarding of rice could be offset by action from the government of
Japan,
which has a large surplus of rice in silos. If Japan distributes some of its
overstock, prices are likely to drop worldwide and the panic should subside.